S&P 500

The FTSE 100 index struggled to stay afloat by close of business in London today but kept above the water line thanks mainly to telecoms firms Cable & Wireless and British Airways.

A government report revealing the worst Christmas spending since 1981 had threatened to dampen the spirits of traders today, but the FTSE managed to close up by the end of the week.

The FTSE 100 index did have a bad day of trading, as predicted this morning, but it was eventually as a result of reduced confidence in life insurers rather than in the worst seasonal December sales for 10 years.

The FTSE 100 index had another strong day's trading ahead of the Christmas break, as Cairn Energy and money managers made the best of the gains.

Positive attitudes and confidence reigned on the FTSE 100 index on Monday, as tobacco firms and mining giants made the best of the gains.

A major loss in the share price of oil exploration company Cairn Energy along with AstraZeneca pulled the FTSE 100 index back under 4,700 after a stronger week.

The FTSE 100 index has finally closed up over the 4,700 threshold again, in a positive day's trading for almost all firms.

The FTSE 100 index closed down the second day in a row on Thursday, but the market was led down this time by telecom stocks.

The FTSE 100 struggled to pull back from its earlier losses of the day as the New York oil price rose again from its lowest price in almost four months, and metal prices knocked confidence in mining firms.

After another tough week in the UK stockmarkets, the FTSE 100 index closed almost flat on Friday.